What a wonderful world this can be if you have the power to get the job done!         

Great news: We have leased a truck with an N-14 electronic Cummins engine to do the final testing of the performance computer.  Our initial plans were to have the computer ready for the Louisville truck show.  However, not having a test truck greatly slowed the testing and developing process.  That problem is behind us now and the performance computer is nearing production.

Please keep in mind that when more fuel is injected into the combustion chamber the volume of exhaust also increases.  Today’s engine manufacturers are using very small wastegated turbine housings on the turbocharger, which in turn, are very restrictive.  We will be testing the various N-14 engines with the increased horsepower to determine the back pressure in the exhaust manifold and we will be able to advise you as to which housing is the most efficient for your particular application.

Next in line are the mufflers.  Recommended are straight through style that is now available at your local Cummins distributor.  Cummins has purchased Nelson exhaust systems and Nelson has an inexpensive muffler that can be converted to a straight through flow style simply by forcing open a cone in the top of the muffler.  That is what is on my truck and they have a deep sound.  My primitive style of testing showed that the cheaper the muffler the least amount of backpressure.  Now that sounds great.  It’s cheap and it works.  Expensive mufflers are very quiet.  However, to make the quietness the backpressure greatly increases.

Yes the performance computer will enable you to develop horsepower and torque easier on the electronic engine than it was on the mechanical engine. However, the same principals apply.  Plenty of fresh air must be available through the air cleaners and the exhaust system must be able to evacuate the burned hydrocarbons from the engine.

During my travels I am finding many NTC engines that are not using the duel fuel line system.  I’m surprised that owners of trucks are not taking the time to install such a simple thing as this.  The engine will run smoother gain 25 more horsepower without increasing fuel pressure and as a result fuel mileage will also increase.  All of this for 75 bucks.  How can you beat it?

How many of you are still using the #10 Stratoflex suction line?  Changing to a #12 line from the fuel tank to the injection pump greatly decreases fuel restriction and again the end result is more horsepower without increasing fuel pressure.  Don’t forget to install the larger fuel filter and filter head designed for #12 fittings while installing the #12 line.

Power at your fingertips!  Our new high-performance computer for the N-14 Celect Cummins engine is now ready for your truck.  The Celect engine was produced from 1992 through 1995.  The Celect Plus engine began production in 1996.  Testing has begun on the computer for this engine along with one for the 3406E Caterpillar Engine.  After developing high-performance Cummins parts since 1977 Diesel Injection of Pittsburgh, PA. is now expanding to cover Cat electronic engine computer upgrades.  We plan on having a product ready for release some time within the next 12 months.  Keep an eye on my articles for the upcoming details.

The performance computer will be called “Pittsburgh Power.”  Measuring 7”x7” the computer must be mounted inside the cab with an LED readout attached by Velcro to the top of the instrument panel.  This will display turbo boost, exhaust gas temperature (EGT/pyrometer reading) and estimated horsepower.  When the engine reaches 1300 deg. the computer will cut back on the added horsepower until the EGT drops back to under 1300.  In addition there are six green lights spanning the bottom of the display panel. Each lights to show that the injector it represents is receiving additional fuel.

The LED readout will also have a selection dial with seven positions.  Setting “0” signifies that the computer is turned off while the others increase horsepower in increments of twenty.  This boils down to a maximum increase of 140HP.  For example: an engine rated at 460HP will now be able to achieve 480 at setting #1, 500 at setting #2 and so on until setting #7 where it will max out at 600HP.  While driving in snow, heavy traffic, fog, rain, off highway or if excitement levels become uncomfortable simply turn the knob back to zero where your engine will once again run at stock specs.

At idle the computer renders the engine back to stock fuel settings.  There will be absolutely no smoke exiting the stacks at idle because no additional fuel will be delivered to the engine.  As pressure is applied to the throttle and the turbocharger begins to develop boost the computer will turn itself on and begin to add fuel at ½ lb. of boost.  Say goodbye to the turbo lag. Your foot will feel as though it’s connected to a mechanical injector pump.  As you push so shall you accelerate.  Your driving pleasure will be enhanced with Pittsburgh Power!!

The biggest, baddest on highway truck engine ever produced has just been purchased by Mr. Frank Hieden of Houston, Texas.  Frank is now a member of the KTTA-HVT exclusive club that has only about five members in the United States.  The Cummins KTTA-HVT is a mechanical K series 1150 cubic inch engine that is equipped with twin turbos and hydraulic variable timing (HVT).  The stock factory horsepower rating is 750.  Pat Sharp, the fuel pump technician and Brian Moan, the injector specialist at Diesel Injection of Pittsburgh, PA. have the combination of fuel settings to enable this beast of an engine to produce between 1,000 and 1,200 horsepower.  As far as the writer knows there are only five of these engines in use in trucks in the USA.

What a great engine this would be for the Australian’s to pull their trains.  Also, the heavy haulers of our country would greatly benefit from this engine.  Being this is a mechanical engine there are only a few available.  So, if you think you might want a KTTA-HVT please don’t wait too long.  Our supply is running out.  If you’re into computer engines we have one of those available also.  The price of the mechanical KTTA-HVT is $44,000.  If you don’t have a KTA to trade in the core charge is another $15,000.  So raise your freight rates, order your special K and you too can be a member of the world’s largest car that truly carries a big stick.

If you recall, in the past, I have written about Butch Shuman from Tye, Texas.  His reworked 1978 A model Kenworth has this same engine and will break the tires loose at 84 mph using 52 pounds of turbo boost and pulling an empty bull rack.  Now Texas, the land of big, has two KTTA-HVT Cummins engines roaming the streets and Frank and Butch happen to be very good friends.  Frank Hieden’s truck is also a Kenworth A model which he purchased new and it was equipped with a KTA 600 single turbo Cummins engine.  The 81 A model is equipped with a two stick 6x4 transmissions and 3:55 gears on 11-24-5 tall rubber.  While Frank is replacing the engine he’s also installing new frame rails.

Now, on to the high performance diesel computer.  In the last issue of LandLine we mentioned that the “Pittsburgh Power” computer will increase the total engine output horsepower by 140.  We have now increased the power to 175 horsepower at 25 horsepower increments.  The dial on the LED readout, that will be mounted above your instrument panel, will have seven power levels.  Each click of the dial will increase the horsepower by 25.  Settings one through four, 25 to 100 horsepower, the LED readout will remain the same.  Level 5 and 6, 125 to 150 horsepower increase, will have a red light to keep you informed as to the power level.  At level seven the LED number will blink at you to remind you that the horsepower has been increased by 175.

Please keep in mind this computer is for the N-14 Celect engines.  We are working on the Celect plus engine as of this writing.